IP Library Granted Patent US 7,404,822
Granted Patent B2
US 7,404,822 · App. 10/494,050 · Granted Jul 29, 2008

Surgical instrument

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,404,822
App. No.
10/494,050
Granted
Jul 29, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A surgical instrument includes: grip handles ( 2, 3 ) which are articulated to each other around a fulcrum pin ( 4 ) so that the jaws can be moved from an open position to a closed position; and connecting elements ( 5 ) which can be used to: (i) lock the handles ( 2, 3 ) in a determined, constant position when a first force is exerted on the handles; and (ii) unlock the handles ( 2, 3 ) when a second force is exerted on same.

Claims (7)

1. Surgical instrument comprising handles ( 2 , 3 ) articulated about a pivotal axis ( 4 ) for moving jaws, from an open position to a closed position, comprising connection means ( 5 ) which permit on the one hand, under a first pressure on the handles ( 2 , 3 ) locking the handles in a predetermined and constant position, and on the other hand, under the influence of a second pressure on said handles ( 2 , 3 ) unlocking the handles wherein an open recess ( 12 ) is provided to pass through from side to side of a thickness of the second handle ( 3 ) such that a hooking region of a catch ( 13 ), which is constituted by at least one tooth ( 14 ), is directed in a direction of a hook ( 9 ) secured to the first handle ( 2 ), and wherein the connection means ( 5 ) are constituted on the first handle ( 2 ) by an ear ( 6 ) permitting securement of the hook ( 9 ), and on the second handle ( 3 ), by the open recess ( 12 ) in which is secured the catch ( 13 ).

2. Surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the hook ( 9 ) comprises a hooking portion ( 10 ) and a resilient return portion which is constituted by a spring ( 11 ) to place said hook ( 9 ) in a same and single position when the handles are in the unlocked position.

3. Surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the ear ( 6 ) is pierced by a hole ( 7 ) to receive an axle ( 8 ) permitting the securement of the hook ( 9 ) on the first handle ( 2 ).

4. Surgical instrument according to claim 3 , wherein the catch ( 13 ) comprises the at least one tooth ( 14 ) formed by a hollow which is delimited by a first inclined surface ( 15 ) forming an access ramp within said tooth, and by another inclined surface ( 16 ) constituting an access ramp from said tooth.

5. Surgical instrument according to claim 4 , wherein a thickness of the catch ( 13 ) is formed by a surface ( 17 ) with a curved profile connecting the inclined surfaces ( 15 and 16 ).

6. Surgical instrument according to claim 4 , wherein the inclined surfaces ( 15 , 16 ) are positioned in separate and parallel planes so as to facilitate sliding of a hooking portion ( 10 ) of the hook ( 9 ).

7. Surgical instrument according to claim 2 , wherein the catch ( 13 ) is positioned and fixed within the opening recess ( 12 ) such that a bottom of a recess of the at least one tooth ( 14 ) is located within said recess ( 12 ) at a same level as a securement axle ( 8 ) of the hook ( 9 ) on the first handle ( 2 ).